in botany, a genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the tetrandria clas of plants; of which there are two species, viz. the americana, and occidentalis. The first is a native of Jamaica and most of the other American islands; where it rises to the height of ten or twelve feet, with a thick woody stem covered with a grey bark; and sends out many branches towards the top, which come out opposite: at the ends of the branches the flowers are produced in long clove spikes branching out in clusters, which are yellow, consisting of one leaf cut into four segments; these are succeeded by oblong capsules filled with small seeds. The second grows naturally at Carthagena; and rises much higher than the other, dividing into a great number of slender branches covered with a russet hairy bark, garnished with long spear-shaped leaves ending in sharp points; at the end of the branches are produced branching spikes of white flowers growing in whorls round the stalks, with small spaces between each.—These plants grow in gullies, or other low sheltered spots; their branches being too tender to resist the force of strong winds. They may be propagated by seeds procured from those places where they are natives; and are to be managed like other exotics: only their seeds must be sown in pots as soon as they arrive, and very lightly covered; for if they are buried deep in the earth, they will all perish.